Woman sentenced for animal cruelty

Prosecutors are recommending a deferred sentence for the owner of 15 neglected horses seized by the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office in May.

Tanya Shove pleaded guilty to felony aggravated animal cruelty in October after earlier reaching an agreement with the Flathead County Attorney’s Office.

According to court documents, prosecutors will suggest a two-year deferred sentence at Shove’s sentencing hearing in District Court on Dec. 22. The sentence means Shove will not serve any time in prison or jail, if she doesn’t commit any crimes during the next two years.

The plea agreement also dictates that Shove will not be allowed to own animals, though she can care for animals owned by other people.

She is also required to pay a fine of $442, and has agreed to relinquish ownership of the horses seized by the sheriff’s office. The county will determine who becomes their legal owner, according to court documents.

Shove was originally charged Aug. 16.

She allegedly boarded the animals on private property near Jellison Road before leaving the area without providing a forwarding address.

 Flathead County Sheriff’s Office personnel went to the property May 7 after someone reported that the animals had not been fed in at least five days. A week later, deputies returned and found that volunteers were helping keep the horses fed, but they were still underweight.

There was no food available to the horses, and the ground had limited vegetation, according to court documents.

A veterinarian observed the horses May 15 and determined that most were malnourished and some had hoof problems.

Fifteen of the animals were seized by the sheriff’s office May 27. They were taken to the Flathead County Fairgrounds, where charitable donations were used to feed them, according to court documents.